The Sacrifice Camp (OOC)

Hehe, all good :) thanks for clearing that up!

I did not see that one coming. Nice plot twist!!

Thanks.

I hope that, going back and looking at things again, it will be adequately foreshadowed. There were constant hints and suggestions... which were never pursued. :)

That could work.
:) Knowing this group, taking them home could lead to distractions which could take some time. If you want to do that first we could say it happens in a montage and bring you right back here for the ritual?

However, Phil (and Theo and Daryl) might want to be part of that cleansing, so you would need to persuade rather hard to get them to stay behind.

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I am not sure if having the women see the cleansing would show them that there is a bigger power, or, instead, show them that there actually was something real behind what they were tricked into doing and cause them to go looking for it again later? It may be best to get rid of them --and a bunch of naked women might be a distraction?

Limpy and Lady might want to stay with you, but could be convinced that the heroic thing to do is to get the women to safety? That way you can go right into the cleansing ritual without delay?

No. The 'kids' went missing while you were out in the dark forest with Olaf (meeting Nixon by the other strange oak-tree-clearing). Then you got back to his place and found they had 'gone to town'. Then you went to town and found they were not there, and that is when you first heard about the mayor's daughter's abduction. You decided not to investigate (actively avoided the mayor), which may have been the right call --he thinks she went missing the night she ran away with you, and may blame you-- but that does mean you kept avoiding chances to learn things. :)

We can do a 'big reveal' afterwards if you want. Or you can take the time to look into this. Given that the party did not spend much time trying to find answers, it may be best to leave some mystery, no?

Tell me what you want and we can make it happen.
The valley is split (roughly) in half, with one baron (Chlodomer) 'ruling' one side and the other baron (Childebert) 'ruling' the other. You are not sure either of them have a strong claim, and there was speculation that they are related to each other.
Or... start actually being part of 'village affairs'? Part of the problem in this valley that no one is 'in charge' and therefore everyone is neglecting responsibilities for making sure things happen. Harvests are not being done, crops are not being sold (or even planted) and everyone is focused on immediate and selfish gains.

Maybe new leadership is called for?

i mostly meant the kids ? the women can just be dropped off somewhere, i guess

Yeah, we can ignore the women, just say they are sent off and done with.

The 'kids' (the are about the same age as Norbert) were part of your adventuring party, and will definitely want to see this through to the end. They also have a desire to deal with the evil here, since they were directly affected. If you really don't want them to be involved, then we can see to it, though. It is up to you guys.

Oh right. I keep thinking we need to get the innocent girl home, but it's Phil. She actually wanted to be here. :)
Maybe Albert doesn't see it that way though.

Yeah. :)

Do you want to have that conversation in character?

Probably, it makes sense.

@TheGenerator: Go ahead and describe anything interesting you find with the altar [ref]. I can fill in any gaps or supply more details that you leave out or ask about.

@Airshark: Since you saw the axe before I don't see any difficulty getting it.

Is it strange that there is an axe out here in the wild forest that has not been cut by timber-workers in like... ever? Is there anything strange about the axe?

If it is not strange, then one of the women probably brought it? Are there any thoughts about why?

Feel free to describe the camp as you check it out [ref].

I will fill in any details that are left out, or answer questions.

In my imagination this is a multi -day event. So I thought they would make a fire to cook... or sacrifice stuff ?.
Hence the axe. For me it can just be a regular axe. If someone else has a nice story for it. I can roll with that .

That works. It does not seem to me that they did much planning. But someone obviously thought to bring an axe, and probably some cooking utensils and food.

And of course incense oil and torches. Right?

:) Nice try, but no. You will have to make your own incense and torches. Possibly the oil was originally for cooking?

I guess some smouldering herbs will do

Isn't that the definition of 'incense'? :)

If they brought cooking oil and food they may have some dried herbs, else you can probably find something ("this looks like sage") growing nearby.

Is that good enough? I was thinking of the altar maybe having some kind of symbol on it? But not sure if that would be something Albert will recognize or not.
Feel free to add what you think works.